Usman, Zeeshan Sparkle; Myanmar Pick Up First Win

Zeeshan’s career-best 70 propelled Hong Kong China to 201 before a spell of 3-18 from Ehsan Khan helped the East Asians defend a rain-adjusted eight-over target of 97.

Usman Patel smashed an unbeaten 111*, setting a record for the highest score by a Kuwaiti batter in T20is. His knock launched Kuwait to an unassailable 226 for four, eventually resulting in a 142-run win.

The afternoon game at the Bayuemas Oval saw Myanmar register their first win of the tournament courtesy of skipper Pyae Phyo Wai’s 39 at the top of the order.

Kuwait vs Maldives

After Maldives opted to bowl, fast bowler Hassan Ibrahim got them off to a cracking start, dismissing both Ravija Sandaruwan and Meet Bhavsar, the latter caught behind for 5. At 17 for two in the fourth over, Kuwait needed a partnership.

Usman Patel walked into partner Clinto Anto and the duo delivered in style, putting on 52 in just 25 balls before Ali Shunan bowled Anto for 40 to bring the Maldivians back into the contest.

Despite slowing down in the next few overs, Kuwait had a good foundation at 99 for three with nine overs to spare. Usman Patel capitalized on this foundation, smashing Shunan for two sixes in the 12th over before striking a trio of fours off Hassan Ibrahim in the 16th over.

Skipper Yoosuf Azyan had opposite number, Mohamed Aslam caught behind for 32, but all this served to bring Muhammad Umar to the crease, who smoked three maximums in his unbeaten 30 off 12 balls. Patel was the star of the show bringing up his maiden T20I century in just 48 balls.

Chasing an improbable 227 to win, Maldives received an early boost from Adam Nasif who kickstarted the innings with 27 off 13 balls, which included three sixes. Yasin Patel changed the complexion of the chase, trapping Nasif in front to reduce the Maldivians to 39 for one in the fifth over.

Patel would take another two wickets, receiving support from Aslam who also picked up a pair of wickets in the middle overs. Maldives lost momentum, scoring a mere 44 runs in the final 15 overs of their chase.

Brief Score:

Kuwait 226/4 in 20 Overs (Usman Patel 111*, Anto 40, Hassan Ibrahim 2-28) beat Maldives 84/7 in 20 Overs (Adam Nasif 27, Yasin Patel 3-18, Aslam 2-25) by 142 Runs

Player of the Match: Usman Patel (Kuwait)

Hong Kong China vs Singapore

Put into bat, Hong Kong China were tied down early by Anish Paraam who trapped Jamie Atkinson in front for 3 in the third over. Skipper Nizakat Khan walked into partner Zeeshan Ali and the duo stabilized the innings before Zeeshan exploded. He muscled Ramesh Kalimuthu for four maximums in a 30-run over to close out the powerplay.

Ali, was similarly undeterred when the field spread out, receiving valuable support from his skipper who launched three sixes of his own before being cleaned up by Harsha Bharadwaj. One ball after being carted for six, Akshay Puri got his man as Ali lofted a catch to Janak Prakash.

However, at 124 for three in the 12th over, Hong Kong China had a huge early lead. Despite losing quick wickets, a cameo of 30 from Aizaz Khan and an eighth wicket stand of 22 between Ehsan Khan and Anas Khan propelled Hong Kong to 201.

One legal delivery into Singapore’s chase, the heavens opened up. When play resumed, Singapore was set a revised target of 97 in 8 overs.

Aritra Dutta smashed 18 at the top of the order, clearing the ropes twice. Just as it looked like he was getting set, Ateeq Iqbal settled under a catch to give Yasim Murtaza a prized scalp.

Ehsan then produced the spell of the innings, bowling Rahul Sheshadri with his first ball and getting the dangerous Will Simpson caught for 9 by Nizakat Khan. At 35 for three in the fifth over, requiring 62 to win off 21 balls, the writing was on the wall for Singapore. Despite skipper Manpreet Singh’s unbeaten 22, they fell 23 runs short of the DLS par score.

Brief Score:

Hong Kong China 201/8 in 20 Overs (Zeeshan Ali 70, Nizakat 34, Puri 2-38, Paraam 1-24) beat Singapore 73/4 in 8 Overs (Manpreet 22*, Ehsan Khan 3-18) by 23 Runs (DLS Method)

Player of the Match (Zeeshan Ali)

Myanmar vs Mongolia

Being put into bat, Myanmar were buoyed by their skipper who continued his fine form, building a partnership of 24 with Ko Ko Lin Thu at the top of the order and a fourth-wicket stand of 29 with Thu Ya Aung.

By the time he was dismissed by Temuulen Amarmend, the score had ballooned to 96 for five in the 15th over. Myanmar, to their credit, did not let their run rate dip, setting Mongolia a stiff target of 133.

Mongolian opener Sanchir Natsagdorj did well to occupy the crease for his 11, top-scoring for his side. Yet, Amarmend was the only batter to reach double figures against a disciplined Myanmar attack.

Thu Ya Aung, Aung Ko Ko and Khin Aye each picked up two wickets to seal a comfortable win.

Brief Score:

Myanmar 132/6 in 20 Overs (Wai 39, Khin Aye 24*, Vivekanandan 2-21) beat Mongolia 61/9 in 20 Overs (Natsagdorj 11, Khin Aye 2-5, Aung Ko Ko 2-10) by 71 Runs

Player of the Match: Pyae Phyo Wai (Myanmar)